“But few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

            There are a number of passages in the Bible that emphasize the importance of “one thing.”  For example, God used Moses in amazing ways as a faithful leader to bring Israel through the wilderness.  But in a moment of anger, he hit the rock with his staff rather than speaking to it as God had commanded.  Because of that one act of disobedience, Moses was not allowed to enter the land of Canaan.  We read the sad story of Achan in Joshua 7 as he coveted, took, and hid some items that had been forbidden.  Because of that one act of disobedience, God’s people suffered defeat and in due time, Achan’s family was destroyed.

            During Jesus’ ministry, a rich young ruler came to him professing that he had lived a good moral life and had been careful to keep all of God’s laws.  But Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing” (Luke 18:22).  The young man walked away, having forfeited eternal heavenly treasures because he was unwilling to give up the riches he temporarily had in this life. He walked away in great sorrow rather than great joy.

            Is there ‘one thing’in our life that is keeping us from enjoying the peace and joy that the Lord promises in abundance? If so, we need to admit it, confess it, and forsake whatever is hindering us. That “one thing” may seem insignificant, small, or not affecting others, but that one thingis hindering our relationship with the Lord.

            You know, the one thingthe Psalmist desired was to dwell in God’s house every day (Psalm 27:4). One thing I ask from the Lord, this onlydo I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,  The Psalmist could not physically do that because God’s presence was in the temple.  But Christ has done away with that, so now, we can dwell in His presence all the days of our life.  That includes spending time with Jesus in prayer, in His Word, and walking in daily fellowship with Him.  Then, as we go through each day, we can make a positive difference in someone’s life, because then we will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.  (2 Timothy 2:21).